Packing suitcases is the worst chore and when you are travelling somewhere new and exciting it’s hard to know what exactly you’ll need to bring with you. It is always important to prepare for every holiday eventuality and it will save you from spending money on expensive products abroad. Our suitcase checklist will prepare you for all of your possible medical holiday mishaps.

  

• Diarrhea Tablets

It’s extremely unpleasant but really common to have diarrhea on holidays. Viruses and bacteria can cause upset when abroad and can usually be put down to contaminated food or water. Make sure you have an anti-diarrheal such as Imodium packed in your suitcase incase you fall ill on your break. Imodium is available over the counter in your local pharmacy. If your diarrhea persists for more than 24 hours it is important to seek medical help.

• Nausea treatment

If you are feeling sick or have vomited it is important to try and keep your body hydrated. Motilum, an over the counter drug can help reduce feelings of nausea and sickness. Motilum is only a short-term solution and if you are losing fluid at an alarming rate you should seek medical help. 

• Antihistamines and Insect Repellant

If you are susceptible to insect bites or stings at home you probably will have a problem with mosquitos and other bugs on holidays. Some people can have dramatic allergies to insect bites and the infected body part can swell. Pack antihistamines to provide some relief from swelling. Piriton is available over the counter.

• Bandages!

If one of the kids fall or you cut yourself its always handy to have a few Band-Aids in your handbag.

• A Hat

Bring a large hat on holidays that will protect your face from the sun and prevent your scalp from burning. If your scalp burns your skin will peel and make your hair really dandruff-y which is a terrible holiday look.

• Sunscreen and After-Sun

We know that it is obvious but sunburn is your number on friend on holiday. Irish people are so happy to see the sun that we throw all caution to the wind on holiday by hanging out in direct sunlight unprotected or even worse, pouring oil on ourselves!! You should start your holiday sun worshiping by protecting your skin with a high factor and as you tan reduce the factor as the week goes on. Always bring more sunscreen than you think you’ll need. Lidl’s brand Cien do a really effective cream in all factors and is extremely affordable at €4.49 for 250mls and it is suitable for your face and neck too. Using baby oil on your skin is a recipe for skin cancer! Cien also do an After-Sun Lotion, which is top class. Place this in the fridge for extra relief.

• Painkillers

Whether you’re nursing a holiday hangover or soothing another ache, painkillers are a really vital product to bring on your holiday, but are often forgotten. Trying to root through a Spanish pharmacy for something to kill the pain will not be appreciated the morning after!